Tesler's saga, told so well in his incredible exchange with the judge who sentenced him to federal prison, encapsulates the human experience in all its drama. There's the climb to great heights and the fall to terrible lows.

Like millions before and after, Tesler was toiling in relative anonymity when the wrong kind of opportunity came knocking. Caught up in the promise of prestige and the potential for great wealth, he willingly justified his corruption. And so began his predictable rise and inevitable fall.

The enormous suffering that Tesler and his family are experiencing now will hopefully lead to forgiveness and peace. That may be helped along by Tesler's gracious nature and contrite attitude.

I truly wish him the best...after all, there is a little piece of Jeffrey Tesler in all of us.